Monday, February 20, 2017

Sappho's girls

The poem below, written by Sappho has inspired me to make this ball point pen drawing

This is my song of maidens dear to me.Eranna, a slight girl I counted thee,When first I looked upon thy form and face,Slim as a reed, and all devoid of grace.But stately stature, grace and beauty cameUnto thee with the years — O, dost not shameFor this, Eranna, that thy pride hath grownTherewith? Alas for thee ! I have not knownOne beauty ever of more scornful mien,As though thou wert of all earth's daughters queen!Mnasidica is comelier, perchance,Than my Gyrinna — ah, but sweetly ringsGyrinna's matchless voice ! In rapture-tranceI listen, listen, while Gyrinna sings.Hero of Gyara is fleet of footAs fawns, and as light-footed in the dance,The dance taught by the measures of my lute.Ever-impassioned Gorgo! — is it strangeThat I grow weary of the change on changeOf thine adored ones? — of thy rhapsodiesO'er each new girlfriend, while the old love dies?Joy to thee, daughter of a princely race,For thy last dear one! Lie in her embrace —Till shines a new star on thy raptured eyes!Fonder of maids thou art, I trow, than she.The ghost who nightly steal young girls, to beIn Hades of her woeful company.This is my fair girl-garden: sweet they grow —Rose, violet, asphodel and lily's snow;And which the sweetest is, I do not know;For rosy arms and starry eyes are there.Honey-sweet voices and cheeks passing fair.And these shall men, I ween, remember long;For these shall bloom for ever in my song.